Ronda Rousey
MIKE FRIDLEY: Have you ever seen a competitor in the UFC deserve to be humbled more than Ronda Rousey did at UFC 193? As a reader, you’ll have to answer that question for yourself. As the author of this topic, my answer is a clear “No.”
My rooting interest in individual fighters ended with the decline of Kazushi Sakuraba nearly a decade and a half ago, so my personal investment in seeing Rousey get what was coming to her was as rare and satisfying as any in-cage happening I’ve ever been a part of; and just to be clear, this was not about experiencing schadenfreude over her success: We’ve all seen Anderson Silva, Georges St. Pierre and others put together more meaningful winning streaks against legitimate competition, so that was not a factor in my mindset.
The signs of her character issues have long been detectable for those paying attention. Combative and irrational behavior while coaching opposite Miesha Tate on “The Ultimate Fighter” made headlines, and those stories have only multiplied since the Olympian’s stardom has skyrocketed to Hollywood-level fame and recognition.
The lead-up to UFC 193 was even more out of control than what is par for Rousey’s normal course: Relations with a married man that is accused of domestic violence -- a crime for which she took personal shots at and picked a fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. -- were just the start; distractions followed as reporters rightfully sought comments from her regarding that situation and another bombshell, as her very public mother, Dr. AnnMaria De Mars, made vile and disgusting remarks regarding the champion’s longtime trainer. These events alone are so thoroughly reported that no in-depth background or explanations are necessary to nominate Rousey -- or her mother -- for a Sherdog Thanksgiving Turkey.
Wait, there’s more.
Rousey behaved like a troubled child at the weigh-ins when Holly Holm clowned her attempt at dominance and then launched an adolescent tirade when she didn’t get her way. As the pair squared off in the Octagon, Rousey then refused to touch gloves with the challenger who had worked a lifetime to reach this stage.
And then, justice was served. Let’s allow it to speak for itself: